Anyone got any reassurance for us? My best friend's five year old appears to be diabetic :(

[Fullmoonfiend]

She is having emergency hosp appoitment next week. Was picked up by school who reported the poor little guy kept falling asleep randomly at school. He has also been showing really challenging behaviour.
My friend took him to him to doc's today and they suspect he is diabetic.
Friend is in total shock and worried sick. Anyone got any experience? I don't know what to say to her at the moment

Poor wee thing.
I have no first hand experience, but I do have 2 friends with type 1 diabetes since they were 7 and 8 years old who have both been absolutely, totally and utterly healthy. Actually, one of them is a total health nut and looks amazing because she has always had to take good care of herself.

bumping hopefully..

Hiya, have looked after children as young as 3 with diabetes and TBH the younger they are when diagnosed the better they seem to handle the condition. Can be a bumpy few months getting medication sorted out but once that's under control most kids have a completely normal life. The blood testing and injections are generally only a problem for a couple of weeks before everyone gets used to them and I've known children of 4 give their own injections and test their own blood sugars. It's a horrible, scary thing at first but once the initial problems have been sorted out most families manage really well and it just becomes a part of daily life. There should be a specialist nurse in your area who can explain everything to your friend and her family and she may well offer training for the staff in DS's school. There's lots of support and expertise out there and I'm sure things will be fine. The diabetic association have some useful contacts I think. Will try to find a link.

Here
There's also a children's part of the site with age appropriate info. Hope it's helpful.

tahnk you, thank you!

anyone out there got kids with diabetes?

Hello, my 6 yr old dd was diagnosed with diabetes in October. Her symptoms at the time were an absolute raging thirst and constantly needing to pee. From what you have described in the OP I wouldn't have thought diabetes. Did the doctors do a urine sample or blood test?

If your friend's ds does have diabetes then it will take a little while to get the hang of it all.

My dd spent five days in hospital as she was quite poorly by the time she was admitted. It was a scary time & I remember feeling like we would never cope with it all but now, six months later we have got used to it.

My dd has been very sensible about it all & just accepts that she has to have injections and be sensible about what she eats, but she hasn't changed, still has bags of energy & does anything any other 6 yr old would do.

The doctors & diabetic nurse team have been fantastic & I feel I have a lot of support from them.

Hope this helps, sorry it turned into a bit of an epic (smile)

Oope, I meant

I don't have any experience of children (not as young as that anyway), as worked in an adult diabetic ward, but tiredness and aggressiveness can certainly be signs of diabetes